Strix occidentalis
spotted owl

This species of owl is found only in western North America, from southwestern British Colombia south through the mountains of Washington, Oregon and California, the western slopes of Sierra Nevada and the southern Rockies. They are also located in Utah and central Colorado through Arizona's mountain ranges, New Mexico, extreme western Texas, and central Mexico.

Spotted Owls are found in humid, mixed coniferous forests, wooded ravines, and canyons. They can also be located in dark forest patches in the shade of deep, hanging canyon walls. Biomes: temperate forest, low boreal mountains.

The average length of a Spotted Owl is 45 cm, with a wingspan of 114.3 cm. The average length of the left and right ear openings are 17.5 mm and 22 mm, respectively. Weight ranges from 518 to 760 grams. Females are generally larger than males, and have a higher pitched call. These owls are medium-sized with dark brown plumage, a round head, and large dark eyes. The head and hind neck have white spots, along with white mottling on the breast and abdomen. Depending on how thick the plumage is, the amount of coloration and white spotting varies. Birds from the humid climate of the coastal range are darkest, while those from the mountain ranges in Arizona and Mexico are the lightest with the most white spots. This difference in appearance is assumed to be an evolutionary adaptation to climate variation.

There are several distinct songs and calls of Spotted Owls. The territorial song / location call consists of three to four hesitant hoots. The contact call is composed of a series of terrifying whistles and a siren-like echo. Alarm / scolding calls resemble dog-like barks. Spotted owls are strictly nocturnal, except for an occasional hunting female during the day, under pressure to feed her young. By day, these owls hide in thick cover near a tree trunk; their coloring blends well with the surroundings.

This species is generally perceived as having a "tame, unsuspicious, cursory, or stupid" disposition; they have a reputation for being unwary around humans.

Though their amiable appearance suggests otherwise, they do have potentially formidable strength.

Spotted Owls find high air temperatures (over 27 degrees Celsius) quite unpleasant, and thus have developed certain behavioral thermoregulatory strategies to endure the heat. When faced with such conditions, they invariably retreat to the north side of mountain slopes and canyon walls in search of the cool comfort of the canopy. They position themselves around tree trunks during the course of the day to remain in the shade. While perching, they expose their legs and feet and lift up their footpads to maximize heat evaporation. They also expand their wings and dorsal feathers and flutter with a partially open beak to allow rapid evaporation.

Spotted Owls are carnivorous and prey on anything they are able catch. Prey consists mainly of small arboreal or semiarboreal mammals, as well as birds, several species of bat, and large insects. They are skilled hunters that rely more so on acute hearing than eyesight. Hunting takes place more often through the medium strata of the forest, rather than on the forest floor or in an open field. Catches are generally made by swooping down from a perch above and collecting the prey with sharp talons. Occasionally, smaller birds are caught on the wing in midflight.

A certain technique is applied to feeding: an ear is torn off to break the resistant skin, and the spinal column is broken by a twist of the beak. Prey is always eaten head first.

The restrictions enforced on the logging industry will most likely be costly, and will potentially set back any business that relies on these resources for lumber and wood products.

The image of an owl symbolizes wisdom, which has been marketed in a number of ways to make a profit. Examples of this include the knowledgeable owl from Milne's Winnie the Pooh, as well as the cartoon owl in the Tootsie Roll Pops commercials. Owls are also extremely appealing birds to ornithologists. Areas in the west with the Spotted Owl attract a larger number of bird-watchers.

The status of this species of owl varies from region to region. In Washington it is endangered, in Oregon it is considered threatened, and in California, it is on the special concern list. This species receives protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, and according to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended), it has been listed as a threatened species. Their habitat is being destroyed rapidly by unrestricted exploitation, clear-felling, and logging of old-climax forests; the continued existence of this owl in its realized niche is threatened. Owl habitat has been reduced by 60% since the early 1800's.